Vaporizers

Anaesthetic vaporizers are key components of anaesthetic machines and systems. The modern vaporizer is a sophisticated device incorporating mechanical, pneumatic, fluidic and, sometimes, electronic technologies in order to enable the delivery of precise concentrations of anaesthetic agent to the patient.

To ensure that vaporizers continue to give safe and trouble-free service throughout their working lives, it is important to follow a planned, preventative maintenance schedule which will help to prevent any contamination or deterioration in their performance.

Preventative maintenance should only be carried out by trained and authorised professional service engineers in a temperature controlled environment using highly specialised equipment.

All maintenance should be accompanied by a full, no-quibble warranty

A typical service schedule for anaesthetic vaporizers is as follows:

1. Disassembly of the vaporizer, careful examination and cleaning of parts and, where necessary, replacement of parts, such as wicks, o-rings, seals and gaskets, to the original manufacturer’s specification.

2. Installation of modifications and upgrades introduced by the manufacturer.

3. Re-assembly of the vaporizer followed by strictly controlled leak tests.

4. Full calibration at specified flow rates and temperatures for all dial settings using state of the art Laser Refractometers.

5. Creation of service documentation and maintenance of records for traceability.

A vaporizer may be regarded as having an indefinite life if it is serviced and calibrated regularly.

Being able to demonstrate that a recommended service and maintenance schedule has been followed will be important if a vaporizer is implicated in a future liability issue.

Vaporizers which are regularly serviced are less likely to develop leaks which may not only be wasteful and expensive but could possibly contaminate the atmosphere of the OR resulting in a potential health hazard to Clinicians and their staff.

“Preventative maintenance is the key to long life and reliability of anaesthetic vaporizers”